Construct Hires New Executive Director

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Construct, South Berkshire County's nonprofit leader in affordable housing, has named Joey Lindstrom as its new Executive Director after a national search.
 
"I'm excited to join the team at Construct," said Lindstrom. "The staff and board have a strong track record of providing housing solutions for vulnerable populations and essential workers in our region. Housing affordability in small towns and rural areas is often overlooked, but Construct has approached this challenge with creativity and determination. My goal is to strengthen the organization's foundations and policies to expand its impact in the years ahead."
 
In October 2025, following Jane Ralph's decision to step down as Executive Director, Construct's Board of Directors retained Peter Gray Executive Search. After careful consideration of many qualified candidates, Lindstrom was selected as the organization's next leader.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Joey Lindstrom as Executive Director," Betty Farbman, President of Construct's Board, said. "He brings a wealth of experience in housing justice and leadership, and we are confident he will guide Construct to its next chapter of growth and impact."
 
Lindstrom has held leadership roles in the housing justice movement for 25 years. Most recently, he served as Chief of Program Development for Housing at the Rhode Island Department of Housing. Prior to that, he was Director for Field Organizing at the National Low Income Housing Coalition. He has received the Public Citizen of the Year award from the Wisconsin chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and the Liesl Blockstein Community Leadership Award from Community Shares of Wisconsin. Lindstrom is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq.
 
Lindstrom officially joined Construct on Jan. 5. He and the staff and Board of Directors have been working closely to ensure a smooth transition.
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Lee Breaks Ground on Public Safety Building

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Lee Town Administrator Chris Brittain says the community voted to invest in its future by approving the new $37 million complex. 

LEE, Mass. — Ground was ceremonially broken on the town's new public safety building, something officials see as a gift to the community and future generations. 

When finished, Lee will have a 37,000 square-foot combined public safety facility on Railroad Street where the Airoldi and Department of Public Works buildings once stood. Construction will cost around $24 million, and is planned to be completed in August 2027.

"This is the town of Lee being proactive. This is the town of Lee being thoughtful and considerate and practical and assertive, and this project is not just for us. This project is a gift," Select Board member Bob Jones said. 

"This is a gift to our children, our grandchildren."

State and local officials, including U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, gathered at the site on Friday, clad in hard hats and yellow vests, and shoveled some dirt to kick off the build. 

Town Administrator Chris Brittain explained that officials have planned and reviewed the need for a modern facility for the public safety departments for years, and that the project marks a new chapter, replacing 19th-century infrastructure with a "state-of-the-art" complex.

"The project is not just about concrete and steel, it's a commitment to the safety of our families, the efficiency of our first responders, and the future of our community," he said. 

He said he was grateful to the town's Police, Fire, and Building departments for their dedication while operating out of outdated facilities, and to the Department of Public Works, for coordinating site preparation and relocating its services. 

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